PARIS — French shipping and logistics group CMA CGM is positioning itself to expand its share of the North American logistics market and improve profit margins through a $1.4 billion acquisition of FedEx's third-party logistics business, extending a strategy aimed at reducing reliance on the volatile container shipping sector.
CMA CGM said on Wednesday it had agreed to acquire FedEx Supply Chain, the U.S. delivery company's contract logistics unit, in a deal expected to close later this year, subject to customary regulatory approvals. The transaction will be completed through CMA CGM subsidiary CEVA Logistics and will significantly enlarge the group's contract logistics operations in North America.
The acquisition will add about 150 warehouses and approximately 20,000 employees to CEVA's North American business, strengthening the French company's presence in one of the world's largest logistics markets. CMA CGM said the purchase supports its broader strategy of expanding higher-value logistics activities alongside its core ocean shipping business.
The companies also announced plans for long-term commercial cooperation after the transaction closes. Under the agreements, CMA CGM is expected to become FedEx's preferred ocean freight carrier, while the two companies will collaborate on selected air cargo services through non-exclusive arrangements that will be implemented gradually through 2028. CMA CGM said the partnerships could generate about $3.5 billion in revenue over the next decade.
The move comes as container shipping companies seek to diversify earnings beyond ocean freight, where profits have historically fluctuated with freight rates and global trade cycles. CMA CGM has invested heavily in logistics, port terminals and air cargo in recent years as part of a broader effort to build more stable revenue streams.
The acquisition also advances CMA CGM's previously announced plan to invest $20 billion in the United States over four years, including spending on shipping, logistics and related infrastructure. The investment program has been presented as part of the company's long-term expansion in the U.S. market.
For FedEx, the sale continues a restructuring aimed at sharpening its focus on its core transportation and parcel delivery operations. The company recently completed the separation of its trucking business, FedEx Freight, and said divesting its contract logistics unit would allow it to concentrate resources on higher-priority areas of its delivery network.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, with both companies expecting completion later in 2026.
